Bonjour, mes amis!
It's been a little over two weeks already since I stepped foot in France - hard to believe how quickly the time is passing. Once Monday morning arrived and I started school I haven't had much more than 5 minutes to breathe..! But it's been good. The classes in French are literally all day every day five days a week, so it doesn't leave you with a lot of time on your hands. Inbetween going to class and doing my homework I have been trying to fit in seeing a few places here. Have been into Nice several times - that's where you go to primarily shop and get errands done. But, finally, yesterday I had a chance to actually do some sightseeing. Rosie, the loveliest New Zealand romance writer ever, and I managed to get to Eze and also the Villa de Ephrussi Rothschild in Beaulieu. Both of them unique places to visit in very different ways.
The weather was slightly shy of horrible for much of the day, but we managed to eke out a wonderfully adventurous day and I can scratch these places off my list now! Sorry - you will have to check my facebook site for pictures - having some issues figuring out how to post pictures on this blog...
https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.bier.5
Today I am off to the Musee de Marc Chagall in Nice with another friend who writes the most wonderful blog called French Letters on Wordpress. It's definitely worth checking out - she is quite unique in her own rights and has an interesting story to tell. Honestly, the people I am in school with are all so unique and interesting I wouldn't even know where to begin to tell you about them. But, suffice it to say, this is the most fascinating adventure I think I've ever had. I have met people from all over the world here, a very eclectic bunch I might add. But, my favorites are the girls from Australia and New Zealand who are an absolute hoot. I might just have to move Australia and New Zealand closer to the top of the bucket list.
Anyway, have to run - I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, December 07, 2014
Friday, November 21, 2014
Villefranche-sûr-Mer at last!
I arrived in Villefranche-sûr-Mer finally this afternoon. It is absolutely stunning here! Everything I'd hoped for and more. Seriously, the French Riviera is all it's cracked up to be and lives up to it's reputation. I have barely been here for just a few hours but everything about this area is jaw dropping. I made it to my hotel, La Regence after a long night and day of travel. It's so French! The hostess at the hotel barely speaks English, so I had to dive right in, and didn't do too bad. I slept almost the entire flight so I wasn't totally exhausted and walked down to the "Vielle Ville" literally steps away from the quintessentially french waterfront - quaint little boats tied up to moorings, locals out walking their dogs, young couples hand in hand walking - you get the picture! Stopped by the Welcome Hotel bar and am sitting outside listening to a fabulous pianist play the standards. It's like I died and went to Heaven!
Anyway, more to follow - just wanted to let you know I arrived safe and sound and didn't even lose anything along the way! That's a first!
Anyway, more to follow - just wanted to let you know I arrived safe and sound and didn't even lose anything along the way! That's a first!
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Leaving on a jet plane! ✈️
Well, next week I leave for France! Ooh la la! I will be immersing myself in French for a month at L'Institut de Français in Villefranche-sûr-Mer in the south of France, 2 miles east of Nice. After studying French in Atlanta at Alliance Française for 3 years now, it's time to step it up and see if actually living and going to school in France can help to improve my language skills. After my month at school I leave for both Aix-en-Provence and Paris. My daughter, Maxine, will meet me in Aix and then we'll move on to Paris to spend a few days culminating in New Years Eve. We'll leave to come home New Years Day! I hope to keep everyone posted on my blog and will let you know how things are going. So exciting!
The other big news is my daughter, Jennifer, is now engaged to Mark Alterman, who Alan and I love❤️. Mark is a mensch and we are happy to have him join us formally in the family. Mark is an Atlantan native - his family is well known throughout Atlanta in the business community. He is a realtor and builder. They are currently living in Denver, where Jenn is in a veterinary dental residency at East Alameda Animal Hospital, the place where Animal Planet's program, Animal ER, was filmed! They love living out there. Mark graduated from college at the University of Colorado in Fort Collins, so he knows his way around there. They have a season ski pass and are ready to go. Last weekend they skiied ABasin and had a blast. Alan and I would like to go and visit to try skiing again, but not sure if that is a good idea!
Jenn and Mark are in town this week and we are formally celebrating their engagement with a dinner party with our two families this Saturday. So wonderful!
All good stuff - I'll keep you all posted on France
The other big news is my daughter, Jennifer, is now engaged to Mark Alterman, who Alan and I love❤️. Mark is a mensch and we are happy to have him join us formally in the family. Mark is an Atlantan native - his family is well known throughout Atlanta in the business community. He is a realtor and builder. They are currently living in Denver, where Jenn is in a veterinary dental residency at East Alameda Animal Hospital, the place where Animal Planet's program, Animal ER, was filmed! They love living out there. Mark graduated from college at the University of Colorado in Fort Collins, so he knows his way around there. They have a season ski pass and are ready to go. Last weekend they skiied ABasin and had a blast. Alan and I would like to go and visit to try skiing again, but not sure if that is a good idea!
Jenn and Mark are in town this week and we are formally celebrating their engagement with a dinner party with our two families this Saturday. So wonderful!
All good stuff - I'll keep you all posted on France
Monday, December 05, 2011
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Cody the space dog - or how my dog gets clipped for the summer!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Ethical eggs!
This is a great article I just read and want to pass on to all my readers. Real food for thought - just put our order into a family farm that sells eggs from chickens that are REALLY cage free! I hope you can find a similar place to purchase your eggs from. It's worth the effort!
My Quest for a Humane Egg
by David Sudarsky
Over the past few years, the mainstream consumer has become aware of the horrific modern production of eggs, under which hens are stuffed into battery cages, where they spend their entire miserable lives on a wired surface averaging approximately 7x7 inches per bird. As with the exposed veal industry decades ago, the brutal truth of egg production has prompted a good number of consumers to look for more humane alternatives. Even if 97% of eggs are still produced under atrocious conditions, at least consumers now have the option of purchasing "Cage-Free" eggs, "Free Range" eggs, "Animal Care Certified" eggs, and eggs from "Free-Roaming" hens or "Happy Hens." But what do these terms really mean? Are these terms regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), or by anyone else?
Clearly, there are now plenty of labels relating to the welfare of egg-laying hens. This means that the egg industry acknowledges that the consumer cares about the welfare of "food" animals, and the industry is doing something about it. Are they providing a humane alternative to the standard egg? That is the question, and here are some answers.
"Free Range" and "Free Roaming" are terms that bring to mind idyllic barnyard scenes. These labels, which are regulated by the USDA, may be used by a producer if their hens are allowed some access to the outdoors. This does not guarantee constant access, nor is there any specification of the size of the outdoor area (which is, of course, a penned area, not a range). Because production efficiency is paramount in the highly-competitive egg industry, a high density of hens per area is the norm.
Some producers, particularly those in colder regions of the country, have found little use for the terms "Free Range" and "Free Roaming." Why would they want their hens to have access to a harsh or snow-covered landscape? Instead, the term, "Cage-Free," is their buzzword of choice. The problem is that this term is completely unregulated. Still, it is reasonable to take this term at face value and assume that the hens do not live their lives in cages. It is not reasonable to assume that there is ample space, that birds are not debeaked (as in factory farms), or that their physical and psychological welfare is of any concern to the producer. Hens will lay eggs even if they are under great stress. Egg-laying is simply a biological function.
I thought it might be a good idea to contact a few companies that I know to be somewhat more animal-friendly and/or socially conscious than the average. Trader Joe's, a national specialty grocer, offers a large range of vegan and soy products. They also offer "Cage Free" eggs. None of the employees at my local store could offer any information concerning the welfare of the hens. However, I did get a response from corporate headquarters: "The hens live in barns with some access to the outdoors. They are debeaked because that is necessary to keep them from injuring each other." If, in fact, Trader Joe's deems debeaking as necessary, then this immediately reveals the high density of birds. Under a true free range setting, hens can establish a "pecking order" and none is in danger so long as she can move easily to a different area. Under a high-stress, high-density environment, a natural pecking order cannot be established and the sharp beaks of hens can result in injury (and death) to large numbers of birds.
Allow me to digress for a moment to detail debeaking: It is a process by which much of a young chick's beak is burned or cut off without anesthetic. Because a bird's beak has many nerves, it is a very painful procedure. This fact is well established. Some chicks die of shock, while others may be left with deformed beaks that prevent them from feeding, thereby leading to starvation. But most chicks do make it past the debeaking process OK -- that is, if they are female. Male chicks do not lay eggs and are not good "meat" birds, so they are discarded at the hatchery well before the debeaking process. Yes, a full 50% of chicks are simply killed without anesthetic or stunning because they are of no use to the industry and the time involved for a less painful death would be too costly to the industry. Many of their sisters are headed off to factory egg farms, while others are purchased by "Cage Free" or "Free Roaming" operations.
Speaking of "Free Roaming" operations, a few days after realizing that Trader Joe's does not offer humanely produced eggs, I was at our local natural foods co-op, where I found an expensive half-dozen free range egg package from Shelton's. This was no ordinary package. It contained a photo-realistic image of a few hens outside a barn, and they had full beaks! I contacted Shelton's by email, because I wanted to know if their hens really were not debeaked. I received a quick, disappointing reply. It turned out that their hens are debeaked. I shot off another email asking Shelton's why their package showed hens with full beaks. I also asked if they thought that was, perhaps, false or deceptive advertising on their part. I never did receive a reply to that email.
Perhaps I would fare better with "Animal Care Certified" eggs? No, this turned out to be a complete joke. At least "Cage-Free" and "Free-Range" hens are not in tiny cages. "Animal Care Certified" is a seal developed by an egg industry trade group known as United Egg Producers. Standard battery cages are still used, but each bird will be guaranteed 35% more space than the previous average. This is a minor improvement, but adding 17-18 square inches of space is still not nearly enough for the birds to spread their wings. I intentionally stated, "will be guaranteed 35% more space," because the seal can be displayed now by any producer that agrees to phase in the extra space in the coming years, so that their business is not disrupted. In other words, the seal is a promise of sorts to provide a little more space for hens in the future. This industry seal also carries with it other advances, such as maintaining a sufficient supply of food and water for the birds. Apparently, that is just too much to ask of some producers that cannot meet the meager United Egg Producers' standards. If keeping hens in battery cages too small for them to spread their wings (for their entire lives) is "animal care" in your estimation, then perhaps you should purchase "Animal Care Certified" eggs. However, the Better Business Bureau has asked United Egg Producers to stop using the seal because it implies that animals are actually treated reasonably well, which is very far from the truth.
The egg industry, like the meat industry, is morally bankrupt. They consistently offer consumers deception and half-truths concerning animal care standards. In general, consumers do want to continue to purchase eggs, but without a guilty conscience. Terms such as "Happy Hens" (another ridiculous and completely unregulated label) imply that animals are raised with proper care and that they live their lives naturally and happily before being slaughtered. This is complete and utter nonsense. Perhaps the only "Happy Hens" are those that have been rescued to live out their lives at Farm Sanctuary and other animal shelters, but their eggs aren't for sale.
Copyright © 2004 TheVegetarianSite, All Rights Reserved
My Quest for a Humane Egg
by David Sudarsky
Over the past few years, the mainstream consumer has become aware of the horrific modern production of eggs, under which hens are stuffed into battery cages, where they spend their entire miserable lives on a wired surface averaging approximately 7x7 inches per bird. As with the exposed veal industry decades ago, the brutal truth of egg production has prompted a good number of consumers to look for more humane alternatives. Even if 97% of eggs are still produced under atrocious conditions, at least consumers now have the option of purchasing "Cage-Free" eggs, "Free Range" eggs, "Animal Care Certified" eggs, and eggs from "Free-Roaming" hens or "Happy Hens." But what do these terms really mean? Are these terms regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), or by anyone else?
Clearly, there are now plenty of labels relating to the welfare of egg-laying hens. This means that the egg industry acknowledges that the consumer cares about the welfare of "food" animals, and the industry is doing something about it. Are they providing a humane alternative to the standard egg? That is the question, and here are some answers.
"Free Range" and "Free Roaming" are terms that bring to mind idyllic barnyard scenes. These labels, which are regulated by the USDA, may be used by a producer if their hens are allowed some access to the outdoors. This does not guarantee constant access, nor is there any specification of the size of the outdoor area (which is, of course, a penned area, not a range). Because production efficiency is paramount in the highly-competitive egg industry, a high density of hens per area is the norm.
Some producers, particularly those in colder regions of the country, have found little use for the terms "Free Range" and "Free Roaming." Why would they want their hens to have access to a harsh or snow-covered landscape? Instead, the term, "Cage-Free," is their buzzword of choice. The problem is that this term is completely unregulated. Still, it is reasonable to take this term at face value and assume that the hens do not live their lives in cages. It is not reasonable to assume that there is ample space, that birds are not debeaked (as in factory farms), or that their physical and psychological welfare is of any concern to the producer. Hens will lay eggs even if they are under great stress. Egg-laying is simply a biological function.
I thought it might be a good idea to contact a few companies that I know to be somewhat more animal-friendly and/or socially conscious than the average. Trader Joe's, a national specialty grocer, offers a large range of vegan and soy products. They also offer "Cage Free" eggs. None of the employees at my local store could offer any information concerning the welfare of the hens. However, I did get a response from corporate headquarters: "The hens live in barns with some access to the outdoors. They are debeaked because that is necessary to keep them from injuring each other." If, in fact, Trader Joe's deems debeaking as necessary, then this immediately reveals the high density of birds. Under a true free range setting, hens can establish a "pecking order" and none is in danger so long as she can move easily to a different area. Under a high-stress, high-density environment, a natural pecking order cannot be established and the sharp beaks of hens can result in injury (and death) to large numbers of birds.
Allow me to digress for a moment to detail debeaking: It is a process by which much of a young chick's beak is burned or cut off without anesthetic. Because a bird's beak has many nerves, it is a very painful procedure. This fact is well established. Some chicks die of shock, while others may be left with deformed beaks that prevent them from feeding, thereby leading to starvation. But most chicks do make it past the debeaking process OK -- that is, if they are female. Male chicks do not lay eggs and are not good "meat" birds, so they are discarded at the hatchery well before the debeaking process. Yes, a full 50% of chicks are simply killed without anesthetic or stunning because they are of no use to the industry and the time involved for a less painful death would be too costly to the industry. Many of their sisters are headed off to factory egg farms, while others are purchased by "Cage Free" or "Free Roaming" operations.
Speaking of "Free Roaming" operations, a few days after realizing that Trader Joe's does not offer humanely produced eggs, I was at our local natural foods co-op, where I found an expensive half-dozen free range egg package from Shelton's. This was no ordinary package. It contained a photo-realistic image of a few hens outside a barn, and they had full beaks! I contacted Shelton's by email, because I wanted to know if their hens really were not debeaked. I received a quick, disappointing reply. It turned out that their hens are debeaked. I shot off another email asking Shelton's why their package showed hens with full beaks. I also asked if they thought that was, perhaps, false or deceptive advertising on their part. I never did receive a reply to that email.
Perhaps I would fare better with "Animal Care Certified" eggs? No, this turned out to be a complete joke. At least "Cage-Free" and "Free-Range" hens are not in tiny cages. "Animal Care Certified" is a seal developed by an egg industry trade group known as United Egg Producers. Standard battery cages are still used, but each bird will be guaranteed 35% more space than the previous average. This is a minor improvement, but adding 17-18 square inches of space is still not nearly enough for the birds to spread their wings. I intentionally stated, "will be guaranteed 35% more space," because the seal can be displayed now by any producer that agrees to phase in the extra space in the coming years, so that their business is not disrupted. In other words, the seal is a promise of sorts to provide a little more space for hens in the future. This industry seal also carries with it other advances, such as maintaining a sufficient supply of food and water for the birds. Apparently, that is just too much to ask of some producers that cannot meet the meager United Egg Producers' standards. If keeping hens in battery cages too small for them to spread their wings (for their entire lives) is "animal care" in your estimation, then perhaps you should purchase "Animal Care Certified" eggs. However, the Better Business Bureau has asked United Egg Producers to stop using the seal because it implies that animals are actually treated reasonably well, which is very far from the truth.
The egg industry, like the meat industry, is morally bankrupt. They consistently offer consumers deception and half-truths concerning animal care standards. In general, consumers do want to continue to purchase eggs, but without a guilty conscience. Terms such as "Happy Hens" (another ridiculous and completely unregulated label) imply that animals are raised with proper care and that they live their lives naturally and happily before being slaughtered. This is complete and utter nonsense. Perhaps the only "Happy Hens" are those that have been rescued to live out their lives at Farm Sanctuary and other animal shelters, but their eggs aren't for sale.
Copyright © 2004 TheVegetarianSite, All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A New Year!
"The New Year and it's high TIME to post!"
3246 Birkdale Ave., Duluth, GA
Winter down here is certainly different from CT. The days are almost always in the 50's, but temps in the 60's and even the low 70's isn't unusual. We are anticipating a short bout of "real winter" weather later this week, but it is certain to be short lived. So, for both of us the climate feels almost perfect. We loved the summer - it didn't feel too hot at all! It is certainly a 4 season climate, but without the bitter cold of Jan-Mar that is inevitable up north. And we're enjoying the change! In fact, we just had our bicycles tuned up in hopes of riding during the winter months here.
Mike and Lally Steckman with Alan
Following our visit to NYC we were able to visit our favorite Kingston, NY couple, Mike and Lally followed by a visit with Alan's parents who are snug as 2 bugs and doing great in their lovely condo by the sea in South Dartmouth, Mass. 
It seems that time passes much too quickly and I find myself writing a new post eight months since my last. Have we been busy? Yes, without a doubt, but far too much time has gone by since my last update, so here goes.........
Last I checked in, it was April 2008 and we had just sold our house, packed up our stuff into storage (in North Haven, CT!) and headed down to Lawrenceville, Georgia to a three bedroom corporate rental apt. that we would live in until we could find a house. The boat had been sold and Alan had started a new job as the Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Gwinnett Medical Health System.
And, as everyone is aware, we ended up doing this in the middle of an economic meltdown. Well, not exactly - no one really knew what we were headed for last Spring - it hadn't really been noticed by the general public at that point. But, there were ominous signs. And the impact of the meltdown ended up derailing our hopeful optimism and best laid plans to get settled into a new house in no time flat!
"House Hunters - Atlanta style"
No, it's not a new HGTV series, but there should be one based on our travails. Without going into detail, we ended up changing Realtors a few times, and still have not been able to make a home purchase. Not that we didn't try. We actually had offers on several homes, but for various and sundry reasons, none have worked out.
The last home we came very close to buying (see pic) -
3246 Birkdale Ave., Duluth, GA We were supposed to close in Mid-December. But it was a foreclosure and ended up having major title issues that made it impossible for the bank to sell the house to us. Sooooooooooo, we are now renting a house next door to it while we wait for the bank to resolve the title issues in order to convey the house. If we find something else in the meantime, that's fine, but if not, we'll just move next door once they can sell the house to us.
Now you're probably wondering why it has taken so long to buy? Well, as I mentioned earlier, it has mostly to do with the economic meltdown of America. When we first came to "Hotlanta" last spring the market seemed just fine - no one here thought there was any housing slowdown, and it was "business as usual". Alan and I, however, were beginning to sense trouble ahead and, oh boy, were we right. It seemed to us that we needed to be prudent and cautious in our real estate offerings - something no one else seemed to think was necessary. But, by the time Fall "08 rolled around it was apparent that even the Atlanta market, which up to last summer seemed untouched by any slowdowns, was finally capitulating. Fast forward to today, and this area is deep into it. So, over the last 8 months we have seen a ton of foreclosures here, but also people who presumably want to sell their homes, but for more than they are now worth. A mine field might be a suitable description of the housing market in this area. It's very important before you buy to know this market intimately, or you could get very burned. And because we don't have a crystal ball, we're being very careful. The house we are waiting for title issues to be resolved on in order to buy is in the perfect location for us and a very fair deal. But it has been hard to find the right combination of factors - so renting for the moment (with a 60 day opt out) seems to feel right for the moment.
Effective 2-1-09 new address:
3236 Birkdale Avenue, Duluth, GA 30097
(Yes, Duluth is where Michael Vick owned a house (in the neighborhood across the street (Sugarloaf Country Club) from where we will be living (Stonebrier) and where the "real" runaway bride was from!)
Our cell phone numbers (liz: 860-227-6685 and Alan: 860-227-6289) and email remain unchanged.
Liz and Alan News
Picture taken Oct. '08 at Tallulah Gorge State Park
Well, I've been having all sorts of fun! But, surprisingly, despite not working I find I still don't have enough minutes in my day!!! Go figure!
Between house hunting and endless hours at Lifetime Fitness I am having a great time shopping, sleeping late, getting mani's and doing a little sightseeing. Life is very easy down here, and I currently have the benefit of not having to commit myself to a work schedule. I confess, with a certain amount of guilt, that I derive great pleasure from this (mostly). Although, lately I am making more of an effort to start waking up earlier and focus on getting at least something done on a daily basis. The first few months here consisted of primarily meeting up with the realtor, living on my computer and pouring over listings, working out at Lifetime Fitness and sitting with Alan every evening out on the porch (yes, we have a porch!) over a glass of wine and hors d'oeuvre's. But as the colder air began to settle in and the days shortened it seemed that our "wine-thirty" tete et tete faded with the past and we are in a more realistic and practical daily mode. Alan is working longer hours these days and sometimes isn't getting home until 7-8 p.m., which certainly feels like our (old) usual routine. We still spend time each evening together, but for the moment, and at least until spring arrives, it is in front of the new 52" flat screen tv he recently bought. Neither of us seem to mind!
Alan loves his new job and the move has been good for him. He keeps very busy there, but he has a terrific staff, and lots of support. The people at the hospital are all great and he is enjoying the new position. The hospital is growing and a new wing of 150 beds will be opening this summer. They are anticipating adding around 300 new doctors in the next few years, so with that and everything else he's got plenty to do!
Winter down here is certainly different from CT. The days are almost always in the 50's, but temps in the 60's and even the low 70's isn't unusual. We are anticipating a short bout of "real winter" weather later this week, but it is certain to be short lived. So, for both of us the climate feels almost perfect. We loved the summer - it didn't feel too hot at all! It is certainly a 4 season climate, but without the bitter cold of Jan-Mar that is inevitable up north. And we're enjoying the change! In fact, we just had our bicycles tuned up in hopes of riding during the winter months here.
We had a chance to go to NYC the first week of December and enjoyed the city very much. I power walked the avenues in the morning while Alan did his thing, and then we hooked up and had a few adventures in the afternoon and evening. While there we went to Lincoln Center for the symphony (Beethoven's fifth 6th row center orchestra seats!), had an Irish coffee at Tavern on the Green, saw Momma Mia (not so good), ate at B. Smith's restaurant and while there met her and had our picture taken, and I went to Saturday morning sabbath services at the reform temple by the park on 5th avenue, an absolutely stunningly beautiful synagogue, that was much too empty.
Mike and Lally Steckman with AlanFollowing our visit to NYC we were able to visit our favorite Kingston, NY couple, Mike and Lally followed by a visit with Alan's parents who are snug as 2 bugs and doing great in their lovely condo by the sea in South Dartmouth, Mass.
Mom and Dad!
Afterward, Alan flew back to Atlanta and I continued my travels to CT and New Jersey. Unfortunately, I was planning a visit to my dear Aunt Gloria while up north, however, she passed away very suddenly and I ended up at her funeral instead of enjoying her lovely company in person. More on that later. After the funeral I stayed in New Jersey for several days, visiting with my cousins. I had a lovely visit staying with Beth and Edmund and got to see all my cousins on my Aunt Nettie's side before leaving on the drive back to Georgia. They just got some new puppies and they were so cute! 
My cousins, Beth and Edmund
My cousins, Beth and Edmund
My cousin Kevin and daughter, Erin, a student at FIT in NYC!
Arrived back in GA mid December and since have been busy with visits from our kids, house hunt dilemmas, and the usual everyday stuff.
New Years rang in for us without a hitch and we enjoyed the company of some new friends that afternoon. Thankfully the new year found us both in good spirits and very healthy. For that I am grateful!
"The Kids = Jenn and Maxine"
Jennifer is in her final semester now at UFL vet school and is graduating mid-May! Her years at vet school have truly flown by, and she is anxiously looking for a job. She was truly lucky to find her passion in life, which is obvious when you talk to her about being a veterinarian. The job market is a bit slow now, thanks to the economy, but we are sure she will find something good. She is hoping she can find a position in the Washington D.C. area so keep your fingers crossed!
Maxine came to visit us over vacation and also got a chance to fly to LA to visit with a good friend of hers, Sarah Zoller, who is in Graduate school there. She had a real vacation in every way and loved Los Angeles. They did all the touristy things to do and she has lots of stories to tell. It wouldn't surprise me if she made a move out there some day. She really loved it. We had a good time together while she was here with us in Atlanta, and she successfully managed to get me to buy her all sorts of clothes! Seems that neither of my kids has much interest in shopping unless they are with me - I don't wonder why! Maxine just started her spring semester at College of Charleston in South Carolina. She needs to take one extra semester next fall to finish up her college requirements due to the number of courses in her double major - French and Political Science. After graduation next December she is not quite sure what comes next, but is spending a lot of time thinking things over. We'll keep you posted. Maybe Israel, France or LA!
"Two wonderful Aunts"
This year has been wonderful in so many ways, but it was also marked with the loss of two of my wonderful and loving aunts, Aunt Nettie and Aunt Gloria. My Aunt Nettie left us last July after an extended illness that lasted several weeks. She was all set to go home, and we all thought she was on her way to recovery, but she never did get to leave the hospital. I was so grateful to have visited with her on my way to Georgia in April. My Aunt Gloria left us in December, very suddenly. I was all set to visit with her while on my travels up north that month, but she passed away unexpectedly 5 days before my scheduled visit. Losing both of these dear, wonderful aunts who I loved so very much, and who I know loved me so much also, has been very hard. They were the last of my aunts, and I was so close to them both. But to see their wonderful families that they were responsible for bringing into this world, and knowing what great cousins and family I have brings joy to me. I miss their smiling faces and their laughter so much. But their love and joy for life lives on in their kids and grand kids. How wonderful for that. I really have a fabulous family that I am so grateful for - what a great bunch of cousins! They mean so much to me. Aunt Nettie and Aunt Gloria live on!
"Down the Road"
Well, for the next few weeks we are looking forward to getting settled into our rental home. After that I hope to get together with my dear friend, Patti Lifland and her daughter, Leah and head down to Charleston for a visit with Maxine. Our good friends, Patti and Howard Lifland relocated to Columbia, SC last fall, so they are only a few hours away and we look forward to our visits with them. Helps us feel like we're not the only ones down here! In March, Alan and I plan on driving up to North Carolina to meet up with our friends,and old neighbors from New Hartford, John and Shelley Lloyd for their son's, Gregory's, graduate recital. Gregory did a graduate program at the North Carolina School of the Arts in Trumpet performance! We wish him the best on his graduation this spring!
So much to be thankful for! Life is good down here! Looking forward to new adventures - we'll keep you posted!
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